If you're hoping to grow some of your own food but are short on space, use these three tips for smal...

Herbalist Sunny Mavor, owner of Herbs for Kids, a manufacturer of herbal extracts, has a favorite recipe for treating colds and flus. She says this tea opens bronchial passages, helps fight viruses, and reduces watery secretions from the eyes and nose.

2 tablespoons dried echinacea root

1 teaspoon dried eyebright leaf and flowers

½ teaspoon dried boneset leaf and flowers

1 teaspoon dried lemongrass

1 teaspoon dried lemon balm leaves

½ teaspoon dried sage leaves

1 teaspoon dried peppermint leaves

In a covered saucepan, gently simmer the echinacea root in 4 cups of pure water to create a decoction. Keep an eye on your pot; you want to reduce the tea down to approximately 3 cups.

Remove the saucepan from the heat, add the remaining herbs, and cover and steep for 5 to 10 minutes. Strain into mugs.

Linda B. White, M.D., is a freelance editor and writer with a focus on herbal healing.

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